U.S. Wind and Solar Now Outpace Coal for the First Time

Wind and solar energy produced more electricity than coal in the U.S. last year—a turning point decades in the making.

Wind and solar energy produced more electricity than coal in the U.S. last year—a turning point decades in the making.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 marks the first time in history that wind and solar combined have generated more electricity than coal in the United States. This milestone wasn’t just symbolic—it reflects deep structural changes in how the country powers its homes, cities, and industries.

Wind and solar energy accounted for roughly 15% of total U.S. electricity generation, edging out coal, which has been on a steady decline for over a decade. Coal’s share has fallen from nearly 50% in the early 2000s to under 14% today. In contrast, renewables have surged due to improving technology, falling costs, favorable policy incentives, and growing investor and consumer demand for clean energy.

The numbers tell a broader story: clean energy is no longer the underdog. In many parts of the country, it’s now the cheapest, most scalable, and most politically viable option for adding new capacity. Even traditionally coal-reliant states like Texas are leading the charge—producing more wind power than any other state.

This transition isn’t just about carbon reduction, though that’s central. It’s about modernizing infrastructure, building energy resilience, creating jobs, and staying competitive in a global energy economy that is rapidly decarbonizing. Clean energy employment now outpaces fossil fuel jobs in many sectors, and U.S. manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage systems is growing fast.

Challenges remain: transmission bottlenecks, intermittency issues, and grid modernization needs. But the trajectory is clear—and irreversible. Coal was the engine of the 20th century. Wind and solar are defining the 21st.

And now, finally, the numbers are catching up to the momentum.